Glenn and I have been enjoying a great visit with his Mom for the past week or so. Linda arrived to some great walking around weather so we took advantage and set out. I love showing off my favorite shops, cafes, museums, pubs, restaurants, and of course wine bars! We've criss-crossed the city exploring new haunts and my current faves. Linda has also been busy in our tiny kitchen cooking large batches of Glenn's favorite dishes. She and I made enough minestrone soup for 10 meals. She and Glenn spent Sunday afternoon trying to recreate Glenn's grandmother's pasta sauce. Judging by the amazing aromas and happy faces at dinner, I think they came pretty darn close. Glenn is going to have to practice on that sauce because though we put much of it in the freezer, it won't last until Linda returns in August. Last night she prepared a chicken parm feast for the three of us. I was truly tempted to dig into those leftovers for breakfast!
This past weekend was Tradfest in Temple Bar. This is a 4 day celebration of traditional Irish music and dance. We enjoyed great performances at several pubs, shopped at the open air markets and listened to musicians in the street. It was great craic, as they say here. I only wish Mom, who was searching high and low for traditional music during her visit, could have been here to enjoy if with us.
Sunday marked the first day of Spring in Ireland. Monday brought the first real snow the city has seen in 20 years. I think they need to think about pushing "Spring" back a bit. It is still snowing off and on today. Glenn's office is in the mountains and he saw some accumulation yesterday - truly unheard of in this part of Ireland and rare in even the coldest corners. It is actually a fun time around here though. Folks are out with their cameras, sliding on sidewalks and the mood is festive. Of course there are no sanders and no real procedures for this type of weather so traffic is a mess.
Looks like tomorrow will be sunnier and back in the 40s so Linda and I are planning a field trip to Powerscourt Gardens and the seaside town of Bray. We hear there is a great yarn shop there.
Rugby was a no-start last week. Practice was cancelled due to a muddy pitch. I plan to try again tonight. I'm looking forward to meeting the team and playing again. Hopefully my bones can still withstand the sport.
In wine bar news, I met with a builder and realtor on a space that has had my eye since before we arrived in Dublin. I am waiting on an estimate for the build-out. I also looked at another space that would require extensive work, but is charming as can be. It is an old carriage house in the middle of the city - kind of down an alley - and the would-be dining/bar area is a big loft. There is a roof garden as well. I'm having fun looking at these different possibilities and tweaking my ideas, but in reality the economy here is not great. I'm not sure I'll be able to get a loan from the bank given the climate and my newly arrived status, but I'm keeping optimistic.
Glenn is working away and still enjoying his new company. He's taking Friday off and he and Linda and I are heading to Brussels and Bruges for three days. I can't wait! There happens to be a chocolate festival going on in Bruges. Linda is as big of a chocoholic as I am. She and I can indulge while Glenn checks out the brewery. Aside from chocolate (is there anything outside of chocolate?), I am looking forward to exploring the old buildings, taking a canal tour, and eating chocolate. Oops! I think I already said that about the chocolate. Did I mention the chocolate festival? Glenn may have a hard time getting me back to Dublin - where there is not a chocolate festival. Or maybe I will eat so much chocolate that I finally tire of it. HA HA HA HA HA. That was a good one.
We'll post some Belgium pics when we get back. Hopefully I can figure out how to post a whole picture by then. The ones in the last post are exactly half of what I thought I was posting.
Our warmest wishes to all of you!
